Arizona Man Jailed After Shocking Online Threats Targeting Officials

Michael Lee Tomasi, a 38-year-old resident of Rio Verde, Arizona, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for making violent online threats against public servants, including federal officials. As part of his sentencing, Tomasi was also ordered to forfeit an arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle, a handgun, a shotgun, multiple gun magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. His sentence follows a guilty plea entered on August 13, 2023, to one count of making threats against public officials.

The charges stemmed from a series of alarming online posts made by Tomasi between May 2021 and November 2023, during which he lived in both Colorado and Arizona. Using a social media platform, he repeatedly expressed desires to incite violence and issued threats against various individuals, including a city district attorney, a state court judge, a member of Congress, federal officials, and law enforcement personnel. In one particularly egregious incident on August 26, 2023, Tomasi posted a chilling threat specifically targeting FBI agents.

He urged others to “shoot the FBI first and ask questions later,” and openly challenged the FBI to confront him, stating, “Any FBI [] have a problem with that[,] come to my house and see what happens. Shoot before they even pull their guns out of their trunk and you shoot to kill.”

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland strongly condemned Tomasi’s actions, highlighting the severity of his threats. “After making vile threats to execute and sexually assault FBI agents and employees, state and local law enforcement officials, and other public servants, Michael Tomasi told the FBI to ‘come to my house and see what happens.’ What has happened is that he will spend 15 months in federal prison,” said Garland. He also commended the FBI for their efforts in apprehending Tomasi and ensuring justice was served, praising their dedication to protecting the American people.

FBI Director Christopher Wray also denounced Tomasi’s threats, emphasizing that threats against law enforcement and public officials would not be tolerated. “I take it very personally that anyone would threaten FBI personnel who work tirelessly to protect the American people from a variety of threats and often put themselves in harm’s way while carrying out their duties,” Wray said. He reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to working with partner agencies to hold individuals like Tomasi accountable for violent threats against law enforcement officers and other public servants.

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of civil discourse in a democratic society while condemning the incitement of violence. “Civil discourse and civic dialogue are fundamental to a democratic society,” Restaino said. “But the incitement of violence is not: we will continue our efforts to prosecute those who make true threats against public officials and law enforcement officers.”

The FBI conducted a thorough investigation into Tomasi’s threats, ultimately leading to his prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Abbie Broughton Marsh from the District of Arizona led the case with significant support from Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Tomasi’s sentencing serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of making threats against public servants and law enforcement, and it underscores the unwavering commitment of federal authorities to uphold public safety and protect those who serve.